Harley59

Hi, I had a terrible time too. I also take the Miralax and I was told to take it every night (increasing the amount I used until I got regular). It worked and now I just take some every night or every other depending on what I eat. I am adding more veggies now and that helps but I guess Protein is very constipating.....who knew ! LOL

Harley, I can't (obviously) speak for all Dr offices, but mine didn't mandate Bariatric Advantage or anything. Like most, I ended up using Premier Protein shakes post surgery and really loved the chocolate as well. The one thing my Nutritionist said was to be sure and read the label. She didn't care which brand but wanted me to stick to Whey protein. The Premier Protein shakes primary ingredient (as I recall) was Soy Protein. The nutritionist's (and her phamplets) reasoning was that Whey protein is supposedly more easily absorbed by the body post-op. I can't call this anything BUT coincidence, but about a week after surgery, I was 100% Premier Protein shakes when my body kicked off a Gout flare up, which they couldn't treat directly and took weeks to get over. Now, I'm back to powders for the moment (mostly Six-Star and Body Fortress) but miss the convenience of a chill-and-go premixed Premier shake... Thanks for the heads up. I will keep an eye on it. so far so good but I will say I have been having some "chunky" shakes lately and finally called premier. They said they were aware of the issue and once I gave them the lot # and time stamp - they will replace my last 3 cases. I think the convenience and taste is why I love them.

Great job ! Be proud - you look wonderful - Pretty girl:)

Hi I don't know what that is all about but I have gotten my shakes from Sam's club - the Premier Protein ones - I love the chocolate and I am 11 weeks post op and my nutritionist was so happy with my protien intake she just lowered me down to 1 a day. Great cost savings but somedays I still have 2. Maybe you should ask if there is a particular reason it has to be their shakes. Good luck.

Hi I was sleeved 4/8 and I have 27 lbs. Slow and steady. Been very happy with the progress

My understanding is that the area is weakened - and it's the nicotine that does the damage and not having plenty of oxygen in the red blood cells to help with healing. We are not all healed. Just look at your outside scars. Believe me I really understand. I have come so close to picking one up and knowing it won't be just one. I hope you stop again. You put a lot of work into all of this. Again - good luck.

My doctor told me that the nicotine in your blood stream will cause small ulcers around the incision sites and eventually a leak and/or ulcer. They won't be able to repair it because of it's small size already. It would be very intense to try and fix. That is why he actually checks peoples nicotine levels before surgery. I do understand about the smoking but I wanted the surgery and weight loss more then that butt. Good luck

I have this terrible problem. To the point of being in bed due to hemorrhoids because I had to deliver a huge hard ball!! I was told Miralax everyday and to increase the amount if needed, until I am going on a regular basis and it's soft. I tried the colace and colace with senokot and prunes and everything else. I was scared that all of the sudden I would have diarrhea but I am happy to say that the Miralax seems to be the answer for me. Good luck and if you do get into trouble. The doctor ordered cortisone suppositories and they worked wonders for the hemorrhoids.

I got the OK today from the nutritionist to enter phase 5. The last and final phase. I can eat all kinds of food. So excited to add salads back into my life. I use to eat a HUGE salad and now 1 cup will seem huge. Can try an apple with no peel at first but then see if I can tolerate with the peel. I did try a 1/2 c of salad on Saturday, knowing I would only be 2 days early and I did fine. Chew,chew ,chew. I feel blessed that I finally after 32 years of dieting have a real tool that works for me! It tells me after 2 oz of chicken "you are done - don't push it" and I don't. I have not vomited, no slime or had any trouble (other then terrible constipation) but that should take care of itself now that I can add some roughage!! from the very first day I decided to go forward with this procedure, I haven't looked back. I just had an awesome vacation and I was unable to bring food/protein shakes because we were on a motorcycle but I did fine. Just concentrated on Protein, protein, protein and did fine. Treated myself to a "kiddie" size soft ice cream - without an issue. Even had a couple glasses (small) of wine and didn't get drunk - just softened the nerve endings (if you know what I mean) Good luck to all of you in the beginning stages - it does get better but make sure you follow the rules. I always kept my paper with instructions in front of me all the time, so I stayed on track. To those that are having issues - I hope they resolve soon and you can start enjoying the benefits of this surgery. I hope to be in Onederland soon - 7 lbs to go. Been years since I was there! I lose about 2 -3 lbs a week. It's slow by some but I am happy - it's coming off and that's all that matters. I haven't "lost" this weight, I have watched it leave, every damn pound and said "good riddance!! You are never coming back here"!!!

I was about where you are 4 days ago, but today is my 15th day post-op and I turned a corner (thankfully)! I feel amazing today, minimal pain and it's the last day I have be on clear liquids. It was also my first day back to work! I'm not sure if you are on clear or full liquids? Clear liquids-drink broth, protein shakes made with water, Isopure, SF/no carb Jello, SF/no-carb popsicles. Full liquids-Drink protein with almond or skim milk (Syntrax nectar is my favorite protein-no carbs, mixes well with water or milks), low-fat creamy soups (such as low fat/low carb butternut squash soup or tomato soup or cream of broccoli soup with the chunks strained out). I use Ideal Protein or Barwise products, but you can also make your own from scratch if you have time. Soft foods phase-eat scrambled eggs or tofu, low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat SF yogurt (use Fage Greek fat free for optimal protein with low carbs). Eat only 2 oz at a time. Do not drink 30 minutes before or after you eat to train yourself to eat slowly and fill on 2 oz. If you drink while you eat, you will eat more than you should and can stretch your stomach which will ultimately lead to slowed or stopped weight loss. Eventually this will become weight gain. Phase 4-lifelong phase is food you can tolerate, only 2 oz at a time, chew/chew/chew! No beverage 30 minutes before and after eating. Set a timer on your phone to help you. Journal everything you eat to hold yourself accountable. Please let me know if you want me to email you my post-op eating plan. All the best to you! It will get better and suddenly you will feel amazing! Excellent advice - all so true!!! My Protein shake is Premier Protein chocolate and I love them. That's how I kept my protein up. At first when they were to heavy, I cut them with milk. I just got told today to only have 1 shake a day. I love them, but it will be cheaper

Don't be lost. I found lots of help here but I survived on refried Beans with sour cream, panera broccoli and cheese soup (love it) and I pureed it in my Ninja blender (that was a must buy). I took foods I loved and put them in the blender. I am to old to change my ways or flavor that I love, so I made them work for me. Once I got use to eating soups/yogurt (Dannon light and creamy) it went well. Hope that helps and anytime - just let me know. It will all be worth it!!

Thanks for sharing and what a nice note from your Aunt. She loves you - they all do. We must change our focus. My life long girlfriend came to visit this past week and we had a blast. The biggest gift she gave me was to be herself and I learned how I needed to eat and react. Everyone voted on Chinese food!! I had no idea of what I was going to do. Everyone else does not know about the surgery. Anyway - I just stated I wasn't that hungry. Had some hot and sour soup/took a chicken finger and took all the fried stuff off and even had a half of a rib (that took me at least 20 minutes to work on (very funny to me) I didn't order a meal, just stated I wasn't ALL that hungry and picked from their pu pu platters. Anyway, I did fine and most important because I wasn't stuffing food down. I got to enjoy the company and had some of the best conversations with people I love in years!! They said " my goodness, this was the best visit ever !! for me too. It's working and I am adapting. So happy and looking forward to being in the 100's. Onederland here I come.

I am 7 weeks post op and I have been having some cravings. I just dish out my very small portion and have some. I had about 2 tbsp or so of lasagna and loved the taste and then I was done with the craving. I don't know but it helped me. Good luck it's all a challenge:)

I had what I thought was cramping and then read on this forum "spasms" and that fit it better. I felt it was my new tummy just letting me know when I should stop and sip even slower. Good luck

Thanks!! Just as I was reading this I got my first premier shake that was thick and chunky....I will try your recommendations !!

congratulations !! to you both !!

Perfectly normal !! I am 7 weeks out and it's much better but still tired. I haven't started exercising and told my surgeon and he was fine with it, since I told him I will exercise but I am SO TIRED!! It's all I can do to go to work and come home (one hour commute each way), he said " one day, it will just be back". Like I said, much better now. I was like you, didn't even want to shower because of the energy needed. I would think about it and just want to go back to sleep. LOL

Premier Protein - chocolate. Love them. I get them at Sam's club or Costo. I use to like the vanilla but it's very sweet. Sometimes I do 1/2 and 1/2. The best part is they are 30 grams of protein and 11 oz of Fluid

I think everyone that has posted before me is absolutely right and they all have great advise. Thank God for this forum. I would like to bring up something that you wrote. You have a big family history and YOUR health is a risk. God knows it is hard enough to get an insurance company to pay for this and many people before us, had to fight to make insurance and the medical field see the sense and benefits of this surgery. It's hard work. Preparing for it and then after it. It's a life of change, so that you can live a healthy, LONG, life. I am sorry for your pain. It's so hard when we love someone, to all of the sudden, not have them be loving and supportive. Did it ever occur to her that you didn't tell her that you where thinking of this because you knew. I would never want to be someone's friend, if they didn't know that I love them unconditionally and always will. We might not understand someone's decision but we should always be accepting.

Marvelous!!!!

Hi It is normal. Remember the rules - slow and small and Protein first !!. It does feel weird that we are fine with such small amounts of food but it is normal. Enjoy the feeling that you can be full with such a small amount. Are you getting all your fluids and protein in?

Good job. Just keep following the rules and learning to listen to that brand new tummy

I will share with you that I had the same thoughts and feelings. Started second guessing but then 5 days before my surgery, CIGNA denied me !! I was crying and heart broken. I had to fight to get my approval and I did. April 8th I had my sleeve done. It was in that moment, that I knew win or lose, I wanted to have this done. It made sense to me that my stomach was too big and that is why diets didn't work. I did exercise too but I could never get the eating and exercise together. If I exercised - I was extra hungry. If I dieted, as soon as I had eaten something "normal", on went 3 -5 lbs. Something was wrong with my system. Well, I am 7 weeks out and doing great. I followed all the rules. Only ate what they told me too, when they told me too and now - I steadily lose 2 lbs a week and I don't even feel like I am trying. I walk but nothing hard. That will come in time because I want too be healthier all the way around. Some people don't have an easy time of it but go and look at the posts of people that are 6 months to 1 year, 2 years out. Not many people regret it. I don't think it would be normal if we weren't scared. We are changing are bodies and we know that there are some people that want us not to succeed but I am out to prove them wrong and show that this is the best surgery for people that struggle with their weight. Good luck and I will be watching to see how you make out

It is a marvelous journey. So happy to be feeling the same way and that we made this decision to take back our lives. It does feel so powerful, to be satisfied after a few bites and not be fighting and saying " oh, I shouldn't, but I want it, but you can't have it, if you do you will undo all the work you did this week" and the self talk would go on and on. Instead, have a little something for food and move on and LIVE!!!